- Islamabad Police has suspended three policemen
- Police attacked participants of Aurat March
- IG Police Islamabad took notice of the incident
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police has suspended three policemen who attacked women during the Aurat March rally in the federal capital.
The incident happened during an altercation between the police and women marchers outside the National Press Club where a protest rally was held on International Women’s Day.
Women from different walks of life participated in the march. Transgender person also participated in the Aurat March. However, the situation turned worse when police clashed with women protestors and stopped them from entering the march.
The women marchers claimed that police baton-charged protestors the marches and tried to stop the Aurat March. Police stopped transgender persons and questioned their participation in the march. Police said the women chanted obscene words against the policemen.
The participants of the march chanted slogans against the Islamabad police as they were restrained from taking the rally outside the press club.
Women and other participants of the march faced difficulties in reaching the venue as all roads leading to it were blocked with barbed wires.
Islamabad Police issued a statement that three policemen who attacked the women with sticks during the Aurat March have been suspended. It said others responsible police officers are being identified and action will be taken against them.
Inspector-General Police Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan took notice of the matter and sought an immediate report from DIG Operations.
He said the Islamabad Capital Police apologizes for this incident. He directed the DIG Operations to identify the responsible and take action.
A spokesperson said Islamabad Police stands with the march’s participants in the struggle and protection of women’s rights. IG Islamabad has directed to ensure the security of Aurat March and women rights rallies.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also condemned the police mistreatment of women march participants. The minister said he has summoned IG Police Islamabad and expressed his disapproval over the incident.
The minister apologized for the mistreatment of women participants. He said women are highly respected and the incident is deeply regretted.
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